2007 Where to Go Camping Guide
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A Scout Is: Law of the Pack Trustworthy The Cub Scout follows Akela Loyal The Cub Scout helps the pack go Helpful The pack helps the Cub Scout grow Friendly The Cub Scout gives goodwill Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent 2007 Where to go Camping Guide Monaken Lodge Table of Contents Table of Contents………………………………………………. 2 Forward………………………………………………………… 3 Letter from Camp Promotions Committee…………………….. 4 Letter from the Lodge Chief…………………………………… 5 Introduction…………………………………………………...... 6 Camping Guidelines……………………………………………. 7 Camping Equipment…………………………………...... 8 - 10 Preparing a Campsite……………………………………. 10 Leave no Trace………………………………………….. 11 - 12 Swimming……………………………………………….. 13 On a Hike………………………………………………... 14 Backpacking…………………………………………….. 15 - 16 Where to go Camping………………………………………….. 17 Historical Trails…………………………………………. 18 Pennsylvania Scout Camps…………………………….....19 – 27 Canoe Trips……………………………………………... 28 Backpacking: Outside Pennsylvania……………………. 29 Inside Pennsylvania……………………… 30 - 34 High Adventure Bases…………………………………... 35 National Parks………………………………………….... 36 - 38 National Forests…………………………………………. 39 - 40 Pennsylvania State Parks………………………………... 41 - 43 Miscellaneous Attractions………………………………. 44 - 45 Appendix: Local Tour Permit Appendix: National Tour Permit Appendix: Class 1 and 2 Health Form Appendix: Class 3 Health Form Appendix: Outdoor Program Checklist Appendix: Incident Report Form Appendix: Menu Planner Appendix: Campfire Planner Appendix: Campfire Program 2 Forward The Monaken Lodge 103 of the Juniata Valley Council has been pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist in updating the Monaken Lodge “Where to go Camping Guide.” The material in this booklet was reorganized, assembled, and edited by Brad Strigle, 2006-2007 Camp Promotions Chairman; and Jon Cherry, 2006-2007 Monaken Lodge Chief. Randy Carper served as the adviser. Monaken Lodge Juniata Valley Council, BSA 9 Taylor Drive Reedsville, PA 17084 (717) 667-9236 Fax: (717) 667-9798 BSA Homepage – www.scouting.org JVC Homepage – www.jvcbsa.org NER Homepage – www.nerbsa.org National OA Homepage – www.oa-bsa.org NER OA Homepage – www.northeast.oa-bsa.org 3 Monaken Lodge 103 Juniata Valley Council, BSA 9 Taylor Drive Reedsville, PA 17084 Dear Fellow Camper From camping and sightseeing just outside of New York City in Gateway National Recreation Area to backpacking through the mountains of Pennsylvania on the Mid-State Trail there is no shortage of places to see and things to do in the great outdoors. The number of places one can visit to enjoy nature and to get away from it all are too numerous for anyone to count, let alone list in a book over 40 pages in length. Understanding that it would be impossible to list every great camp site, the Camp Promotions Committee of Monaken Lodge has done its best to provide you, the reader, with a large taste of “Where to go Camping” in and around the state of Pennsylvania. This book was compiled to provide guidance and suggestions for a wide range of enjoyable camping trips. Information is provided on historical trails, Pennsylvania scout camps, canoe trips, backpacking and hiking trails, BSA High Adventure Bases, national parks and forests, Pennsylvania state parks, as well as the basics of campground safety and skills. It should be remembered that this book provides only a small taste of where one can go and what one can do in the great outdoors, therefore, one should feel free to expand and elaborate on the contents of this book. The Camp Promotions Committee of Monaken Lodge hopes that you outdoor adventures are enjoyable and safe. Yours in Cheerful Service Brad Strigle Randy Carper Brad Strigle Randy Carper 2007 Camp Promotions Chair 2007 Camp Promotions Adviser 4 Monaken Lodge 103 Juniata Valley Council, BSA 9 Taylor Drive Reedsville, PA 17084 Dear Scout Leader The Monaken Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America, Juniata Valley Council 497 have prepared this “Where to go Camping Guide” as a service to units in our council. This guide will give you a multitude of options for local places to go camping. In addition, the guide will provide you tips regarding trip planning, standard equipment, tour permits, safety measures, and many other topics. The main purpose of this guide is to provide you a consolidated listing of information regarding local camping opportunities. These include areas suitable for short and long term camping, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, boating, and many others. In addition to local camping opportunities, high adventure information is also included in this guide. There is information on fees, rules on facilities, and contact information. We hope you use these resources and remember “Scouting is three-quarters-outing.” Every three years this guide will be updated and distributed to all the Scoutmasters and Cubmasters in the council. This guide will be published online at www.monaken.org , and through an electronic copy via CD. We look forward to continue serving the packs and troops in our council. Yours in Cheerful Service Jon Cherry Jon Cherry 2007 Lodge Chief 5 Introduction The Where to go Camping Guide of Monaken Lodge has been assembled to give leaders in Scouting a guide to assist in the planning of camping and outdoor activities. The Cub Scout outdoor program provides an opportunity for parent-Cub activities, day camps, weekend Cub-parent camp-outs, and extended Cub and Webelos camping. Normally adequate facilities are available close to their home community. The successful Boy Scout outdoor program normally provides one overnight camping experience a month and at least a week of extended camping each year. This guide should help leaders plan a diversified camping program utilizing a variety of Scout Camps for both weekend and summer camping. 6 7 Camping Equipment Personal Equipment: All clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for the weather. It is a good idea to enclose items in individual plastic bags. The following is a list of suggested personal and patrol gear for a regular campout. For activities such as backpacking and canoeing, additional equipment will be needed. Personal Equipment: Pack (preferably with a hip strap) Sleeping bad -or- 2-3 blankets Foam pad or air mattress Ground sheet (plastic) Jacket Poncho or raincoat with rain hat Waterproof boots (lightweight) Sneakers or pair moccasins Hat Clothes bag(s) containing: T-shirts Long-sleeve shirts Pants / Shorts Socks Pajamas or sweat suit Handkerchief Swim trunks and towel Underwear Sweatshirt -or- Fleece Eating kit containing: Knife Fork Plate Cup Spoon Bowl Toilet kit containing: Soap in a box Washcloth Toothbrush Toothpaste Comb Metal mirror Plastic washbasin Hand towels Deodorant Toilet paper Repair kit containing: Needles Thread Buttons Safety pins 8 Other: Shoelaces Toilet paper, plastic bag Pocketknife Flashlight with spare batteries Bible, testament of prayer book according to your faith First aid kit Extras you may want to take: Watch Camera Film Cell Phone Pencil / Pen Sunglasses Drinking cup Canteen Repellent Rope Musical instrument Songbook Wallet with money and ID Air pillow Book Cards Patrol Equipment: Tenting crew equipment: 2-man tents with poles, pegs, and guy lines Dining fly (10 x 10 ft. max) with poles, pegs, and guy lines Patrol flag on staff Small U.S. flag with halyard Ax Saw Camp Spade Repair kit containing: Mill filer (8 in.) for ax sharpening Sharpening stone Thin wire Twine (nylon line) Nails Sewing kit containing: Thread Needles Safety pins First aid kit: First aid supplies Toilet paper in plastic bag Electric lantern Cooking crew equipment: Cooking kit (trail chef kit) containing: Pots (4) Frying pans (2) Serving plates (4) Cups (4) Chef’s kit containing: Carving knife Spatula Can opener Large fork Tongs Potato peeler Large spoon Ladle 9 Water container (collapsible, plastic, 2.5 gal -or- desert water bag) Plastic washbasin for cooks Plastic food bags (various sizes) Sugar container Plastic sheets (2) (4 x 4 ft. min) Matches Fire starters Salt and pepper shakers Roll of aluminum foil Cleanup materials: Dish mop Liquid soap in plastic bag Sanitizing tablets for rinse Heavy-duty trash cans liners Ax, saw, and camp spade Scouring pads Paper towels in plastic bag Preparing a Campsite Before setting up camp first, select a spot that: 1. Is fairly open and level with a carpet of grass and a gentle slope for rainwater runoff. 2. Is sheltered against the prevailing wind 3. Have adequate supplies of both wood and water easily available 4. Is safe from rockslides, flash floods, and falling branches 5. Has privacy 6. Has natural beauty and enjoyable surroundings * Always be sure to get permission to camp on private property Upon arriving on the site it is easiest to assign crews to the tasks of: fire building, setting up tents, digging the latrine, gathering wood and water, and laying out food and cooking gear. NOTES: All dry sticks and leave must be cleared 10 ft. from the fire ring, and tents must be well beyond that. The latrine is to be at least 100 ft. from camp, trails, or water source. Tents should be set up on a gentle down slope to allow for drainage. 10 Leave No Trace The BSA is committed to Leave No Trace, which is a nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program. Its seven principals are guidelines to follow at all times. Plan Ahead and Prepare · Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. · Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. · Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. · Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. · Repackage food to minimize waste. · Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces · Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. · Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. · Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.